i'm working my way through this one as well. my progress hasn't been aided by the fact that i've got volume 2 waiting on the shelf.
i wish i could say that i'm enjoying this read, but it's premise(s) start to weigh on me after a couple of chapters, and i have to set it down to let the material seep into my skull...that's when the interior dialogue starts, i mean, would i have what it takes to live in a world after civilization collapses? i am typing this out on a fancy, electrical, all-too-civilized gadget, not too mention posting it out over a world wide information network; neither of which will survive said collapse...well, i suppose my computer would survive, but with no power, it would become a writing tablet...or i could slip it under my shirt for a makeshift bulletproof vest.